Halifax Event Photography | Nocturne 2015: Found and Lost and Found

It was at Nocturne, 2011, that Rae and I met each other the first time. I honestly can’t think of a more important day that I’ve lived. It was also my first day in Halifax. I arrived on a plane and at some point that evening, from the street, I saw her through a window, sitting in a cafe, looking sophisticated and gorgeous (out of my league), and there was that thing about her that set her apart from everyone else–that thing poets always turn to words. The cafe smelled like very old potpourri when I entered but the coffee was decent. I was wearing cargo shorts and my fuzzy ‘kangaroo hoodie’. I still don’t understand how I got the girl, but I can assure you it wasn’t my first impression that won her over. I’d (probably) have dressed better had I known it would be such a life-changing evening.

Rae and I also met our amazing friend Amy Lorencz that night (check out the portrait session we did of Amy here). I would NEVER guessed that 4 years later, Rae and I would be married, running our own photography business, and that Amy would be the Communications Director for Nocturne and would help us become the official photographers for this incredible event (we even got our own ‘official photographers of Nocturne’ badges, which I flashed more often than was necessary). Life is the ultimate curator of the unexpected. But I don’t want to turn this blog into the Topher and Rae story. I guess I got a little nostalgic. Wine does that to me.

Photographing this event opened our eyes to the immense dedication, perseverance, vision, enthusiasm, paperwork, coordination, and year-long planning behind this unusual, compelling, and FREE event. We got to meet the outstanding Board of Directors who curate, plan and deliver Nocturne to Halifax and Dartmouth. These people, and others, are the one’s behind the curtain, who grease the wheels and tend to the engine of this annual, fleeting, beautiful vehicle.

I can only imagine the amount of work this group goes through to harness grants (from all 3 levels of government) and community sponsorship to pay for the event, never mind actually planning it, sorting out legalities, scheduling, and all the endless things I’m not even thinking about. Nova Scotia is lucky to have these folks. And they’re successful. Attendance keeps growing (over 25,000 attendees last year!). I keep hearing how Nova Scotia is resistant to change, is down and out financially, and needs a reason for its young people to stay. Nocturne (and similar events) is one of those sparks of vitality that seems to speak to the outlandish potential here. More about that below.

In the days leading up to Nocturne, we got a tiny, tiny glimpse at a tiny, tiny fraction of one piece of the preparation for the event. It was like seeing a small organ of the great beast. Well, two organs I guess. The first was at NSCAD, where Rose Zack (Nocturne’s founder and 2015 curator), Lindsay Ann Cory (Nocturne’s Acting Chair & Director) and Anna Sprague (Nocturne Artist and Professor at NSCAD) dialogued with Anna Sprague’s art class–a small but dedicated group of young artists, creating costumes that they were to wear at Sprague’s Nocturne piece. I got to hear some of what was said. I don’t think I’m giving away the show too much when I say that the Nocturne organizers sought to temporarily transform the city from the 9-to-5, census-reality, work-a-day routine into something different, something deeper, freer and more reflective. The next time you look at Citadel Hill, you might see the ghost of a ferris wheel scene that was there for one day. They’re trying to make art so hard to avoid that it’s reality-expanding fragrance can’t be ignored.

The second time we saw some of the grit and sweat behind the event, it was way too cold to sweat. Rae and I, with little more than an hour of sleep logged from the night before, marched up Citadel Hill just behind a huge 18-wheeler hauling a disassembled ferris wheel. It was 4:30AM and barely above freezing. Before my sleep-deprived eyes and shivering camera fingers, people invented that giant, glowing wheel. I don’t know who they were. Carnies? Who knows. They were the Amish of ferris wheels. And then Halifax had a glittering centre piece. The sun came up just after.

A couple days before Nocturne Proper, there was a Nocturne Opening, hosted by CBC and at Lion and Bright. I get the sense that it was one of the few times that the people who set up the Nocturne dominoes got a much-deserved “thank-you” for the show that was about to happen. They know how to party. When we stepped in, they handed us a ‘free drink’ coupon, promised good entertainment, and then failed to deliver on neither. Rae, myself and Amy Lorencz took advantage of the free drink and had an (as usual) amazing meal at Lion and Bright. I don’t think we talked about how all three of us met at Nocturne in 2011, but it was definitely on my mind. It was one of those moments of breaking bread and feeling gratitude. Biblical stuff in my books.

Laura Dawe, who combines two of my favourite things (drinking and nostalgic, poetic, story-telling), performed her piece, Poetic Mixology 4 times that night, giving us the details of various drink recipes and a related episode in her life as a Haligonian. Then EAT LOCAL, the improv duo (Liam Fair and Henri Gielis) got up in front of us all and invented a performance piece on the spot. It was spectacular and hilarious. It was the talent of Nova Scotia coming together and sharing their best with one another, just because. Just because something great. DJ Oven Mitt, who came in from Toronto, made sure the music was spot on for the the evening. Sound good? It was.

****We have no dreams at all or interesting ones. We should learn to be awake the same way**** Nietzsche.

During the Night of Nocturne, there was no time to waste. We had enough time–and no more–to get to a scene, get a feel for it, decide lighting and angles, take our shot, and run (erm, walk hurriedly). We even had cars parked strategically in the city to get from A to B, or O to P. Our cheer-leader, our navigator, our leader, our fellow spectator to the night, our new friend and Nocturne’s Marketing Director, Wynne Van Thielen, ‘followed’ us all the way, three steps ahead or more. I’m sure we wouldn’t have covered as much ground or got the shots we had without her.

And the night, was sort of like this:

Note: *Names of Artists and their work follow the images displayed* (Descriptions taken from the Nocturne Guide).

James Forren The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Citadel Beacon illuminates the sky from the Halifax Citadel and offers visual cues into the Halifax Citadel’s living inscription on the city’s urban form.

Will Robinson Metallurgy I (Sun Ship Machine Gun) Fort Massey United Church Metallurgy I (Sun Ship Machine Gun) investigates the material and sonic evolution of non-ferrous metal that once took the form of European Cathedral Bells.

Society of Dalhousie Music Students Retrospect Halifax Central Library – Paul O’Regan Hall Students from Dal’s Fountain School of Performing Arts explore Halifax’s history through video and a live orchestra.

Jeremy Tsang Beacon in the Dark Waterfront Boardwalk at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

@IAM_T_SANG presents a temporary informal lighthouse speaking to urban preservation versus revitalization/gentrification of spaces and places. This project is presented in partnership with the Centre for Art Tapes.

The Dawson Print Shop Letterpress Gang 1895 Granville St Solve a mystery and decipher a secret message at The Dawson printshop using the mighty power of the presses.

Sam Hodgkins-Sumner, Ryan Abrams, John Gilchrist, Alex McVittie Brushfire June Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre: Halifax Waterfront Light of my life, fire of my loins. Brushfire June is a piece of performance art that explores the beauty and danger of visceral eros in the midst of a society obsessed with order and efficiency.

Jason Skinner and the Printing House Friend to be Found The Printing House – CIBC Building Barrington Get your picture taken and join in the Nocturne-wide friend search. Smile, someone may be looking for you.

Ferry-Oke! Ferry-Oke! Come out and sing along to your favourite long and forgotten songs while you cross the Harbour under the stars. A team of local karaoke legends will host your crossing on the HalifaxDartmouth ferry, all for the price of a transit ticket.